The fact that jewellery artist Mayben describes the concept behind her brand, Daysinshell, as a theme park makes perfect sense. Looking at her work is like being dragged into a feverish dream of Disneyland—a psychedelic landscape filled with unusual creations and ideas. With no limit to her inspirations, Mayben has crafted a world of whimsical and outlandish creations: bizarre grills littered with friends’ faces, and bejewelled rings that would seem more at home in a Final Fantasy video game than real life.

Growing up in France as a child, Mayben always seemed to feel a pull towards her roots in Japan, and in 2019, she decided to join her mother in her homeland and pursue an education in jewellery making. This rather structured and conservative environment that she found herself in gave her all the tools required to make physical the desires of her mind. Given that she was able to emerge from an environment that, at times, too eagerly prioritises rules and convention, it gives testament to an artist whose vision burns stronger than the whims of peer pressure.

GATA had a chance to catch up with the artist to talk about her recent experimentations with 3D, the lessons she learned from collaborating with XG and the future of AI in the creative industry.

GATA: Hi Mayben, could you please introduce yourself to the GATA team?

Mayben: Hi Team GATA! I’m Mayben, a jewellery artist and the designer behind the brand Daysinshell.

GATA: Could you tell us a little bit about your journey? How did you end up in Japan?

Mayben: I studied Art History and Archaeology at Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. It was super interesting, but I realised it wasn’t the right fit for me. Around that time, my mom was moving back to Japan, and I decided to start over there too, since my roots are also in Japan. I moved here six years ago, started studying at a jewellery school, and I’ve loved it ever since.

“Japan is always evolving new ideas, gadgets, and visuals. Even things like gachapon have fresh concepts every week. The landscape and city are constantly changing, which can feel overwhelming but is also incredibly inspiring for creative work...I personally need movement and energy to create.”

— Mayben

GATA: How was your experience studying in Japan?

Mayben: Studying in Japan was a bit tough at first. I was used to the French system, more holidays, a laid-back pace, and a sense of freedom. But here, I entered a professional school where we focused intensely on craft. For three years, it was all about hands-on training and mastering skills, and it was totally worth it. I learned to make almost anything by hand. The school also had a strong emphasis on gaining employment, so they pushed students to find jobs as craftsmen or even shop vendors. Most people just followed that path. I was the only one who wanted to work freelance, and the teachers were against it. They said I didn’t understand the “real” professional world. [They often told me] the classic line: “Kaisha ni detera…” (When you start working in the real world…)

GATA: What was the motivation for starting your own brand?

Mayben: Starting my brand just felt natural after graduating.

GATA: And what is the concept for Daysinshell?

Mayben: The concept behind Daysinshell is like a theme park. Even though each piece might explore a different theme, the overall craft style is consistent and recognisable as Daysinshell.

GATA: What was your most recent inspiration for creating a piece?

Mayben: My latest inspiration came from Easter imagery: rabbits, chicks, eggs and a touch of Disney Land magic.

GATA: Do you have any favourite artists?

Mayben: My favourite artists vary from moment to moment, but right now it’s Gilles Bachelet and Shinichi Sakamoto.

GATA: What about favourite books or films?

Mayben: My favourite books are The Edge Chronicles and Champignon Bonaparte. My favourite film is Surf's Up.

GATA: Typically, what is your process like when creating a jewellery piece? How do you decide what material to use, what shape to pursue, etc?

Mayben: I usually use traditional jewellery techniques like wax carving and casting in sterling silver or brass. I also apply secret plating methods to create colourful gradients on metal, which resemble chocolate sculptures.

GATA: Recently, you’ve been experimenting with 3D printing. How has this process differed from your previous work? Are you enjoying it?

Mayben: Recently, I’ve started using 3D printing to create larger base forms for my jewellery, especially since metal is becoming more and more expensive. And yes, I really enjoy it!

GATA: Are there any jewellery pieces that inspire you directly?

Mayben: Before I started making jewellery, I was inspired by Victoire de Castellane. These days, I’m more drawn to historical jewellery from around the world.

GATA: What has been your proudest creation so far?

Mayben: I don’t think I have a single proudest creation, I love all of them in their own way. But I always believe I can make something even better next time.

GATA: You recently collaborated with the music group XG. Could you tell us a little bit about that? What did you learn from this collaboration?

Mayben: I learned so much, and I’m truly grateful for this opportunity. If there’s a next time, I want to blend 3D printing with metal jewellery to create more impactful pieces, especially for music video collaborations.

GATA: Is there a message that you are trying to convey through your work?

Mayben: Through my work, I want to share playful, fantastical stories and bring a little wonder.

GATA: What are your thoughts on AI?

Mayben: I’m curious to see how things evolve, kind of like when photography was first invented. Some people were against it, others were inspired by it, and now it’s a normal part of art. I’d love to experiment with AI, not to let it work for us, but to create with it.

GATA: Can you tell us about your plans for the future? What are your goals for the next year?

Mayben: I plan to create larger art pieces that merge 3D printing with handcrafted metals, collaborate with more artists and brands, and prepare for my solo exhibition and pop-up event.

TEXT + PHOTOGRAPHY: JAMES ELLIOTT

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